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The 2021-22 NBA season has seen a number of players stand out with their individual play, and the Sixth Man of the Year award is shaping up to be a competitive one. There's been no shortage of fascinating storylines throughout the regular season.
Teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns have impressed basketball fans with their strong play throughout the year and look to be the teams to beat in the Western Conference. On the other side of the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets have started to make some serious noise in the Eastern Conference.
Although a number of teams have shined with their play on the court, a number of bench assets throughout the league have started to generate some buzz with their performances.
Let's take a look at some of the top bench players in the NBA with this week's updated Sixth Man of the Year power rankings by Sportskeeda.
No. 5: Jordan Clarkson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 31; Games won - 22; Games lost - 9
Last Week: PPG - 18.0, APG - 2.3, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 14.8, APG - 2.2, RPG - 3.3
Last Week: FG% - 46.5%, 3P% - 31.8%, FT% - 77.8%
Overall: FG% - 38.1%, 3P% - 30.2%, FT% - 80.7%
Although there's been plenty of other teams making noise in the Western Conference with their play, the Utah Jazz have impressed with their play as well. After struggling with some inconsistent shooting throughout the year, 2020 Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson has started to find his groove again as of late. Known as one of the top scoring threats off the bench in the NBA, Clarkson finally had himself a great week of efficiency and finds his way back into the top five in this week's power rankings.
In Clarkson's last week of play, the veteran Utah Jazz wing averaged 18.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Clarkson has long been known as a player who can put together impressive stretches of production for a long time, and this could be the start of his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy heating up again.
No. 4: Jalen Brunson
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 15; Games lost - 15
Last Week: PPG - 18.7, APG - 9.3, RPG - 2.3
Overall: PPG - 15.5, APG - 5.3, RPG - 3.9
Last Week: FG% - 55.3%, 3P% - 40.0%, FT% - 83.3%
Overall: FG% - 49.7%, 3P% - 33.7%, FT% - 77.5%
The Dallas Mavericks continue to try to climb the ranks in the Western Conference and currently find themselves with a record of 15-16 this year.
Although the team has had to deal with some injuries as of late, veteran guard Jalen Brunson continues to be a key contributor with his consistent play throughout the year. The crafty left-handed floor general has been one of the most underrated guards in the entire league over the last several years.
Although Brunson has continued to be an important Sixth Man for the Mavericks this year, he's really started to see his game reach another level as of late. In his last week of play, Brunson averaged 18.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game while shooting 55.3% from the field and 40.0% from downtown.
With Luka Doncic entering the league's health and safety protocols, Brunson has stood up in a big way as the Mavericks attempt to climb the ranks in the West.
No. 3: Montrezl Harrell
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 17; Games lost - 15
Last Week: PPG - 11.3, APG - 2.5, RPG - 5.3
Overall: PPG - 14.5, APG - 2.2, RPG - 7.4
Last Week: FG% - 63.0%, 3P% - 100%, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 64.7%, 3P% - 33.3%, FT% - 73.5%
The Washington Wizards have continued to be one of the more pleasant surprises throughout the 2021-22 NBA regular season. One of the main reasons for the Wizards strong play this year has been the impressive production of Sixth Man Montrezl Harrell.
The energetic forward has become a sensational addition for the Wizards and has done a great job of filling up the box scores when it comes to scoring and rebounding for Washington.
A former Sixth Man of the Year award winner, Harrell has looked like his old self this year with his new team. After putting up some eye-opening numbers during the beginning of the year, Harrell has started to see his production come down to earth a bit. Still, the veteran forward has consistently produced at an impressive level as he's currently averaging 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds a game this year.
No. 2: Kelly Oubre Jr.
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 17; Games lost - 17
Last Week: PPG - 14.8, APG - 1.5, RPG - 3.3
Overall: PPG - 16.5, APG - 1.3, RPG - 4.1
Last Week: FG% - 40.8%, 3P% - 31.0%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 45.3%, 3P% - 37.5%, FT% - 67.1.
After dealing with a number of injuries to key players, the Charlotte Hornets are battling to attempt to climb up the rankings in the Eastern Conference. Throughout the last several weeks, no player has been as impressive as Hornets veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr. Known for his ability to fill box scores in a hurry on a nightly basis, Oubre has been sensational with his play over the last couple of weeks.
Although Oubre went on to have a bit of an "off week" compared to previously, he's a popular name who deserves consideration as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. So far this year, Oubre is averaging 16.5 points and 4.1 rebounds off the bench for the Hornets while shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.5% from three.
No. 1: Tyler Herro
Previous week’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 27; Games won - 14; Games lost - 13
Last Week: PPG - 12.0, APG - 2.0, RPG - 2.0
Overall: PPG - 20.9, APG - 3.7, RPG - 5.0
Last Week: FG% - 40.0%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - N/A
Overall: FG% - 44.5%, 3P% - 39.9%, FT% - 85.7%
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has continued to be one of the most impressive players throughout the 2021-22 NBA season.
After showing some signs early in his career as a potential volume scorer, Herro has seen serious improvement in his all-around game this year and has become a favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year award. The Miami Heat guard has developed into one of the most dangerous bench assets throughout the NBA and has flourished with his play on the court.
After starting out the year as one of the most impressive teams in the NBA, the MIami Heat have had to deal with some recent adversity when it comes to crucial injuries on the roster.
Tyler Herro played only one game last week as the team attempts to get healthy and back on the right track. So far this year, Herro has averaged 20.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 44.5% from the field.
